VanOLINDA: York-Adams football stories develop

Since Fairfield began play in the York-Adams Football League in 2004, the most victories the Green Knights earned in one season is three.

This year's Fairfield team is two-thirds of the way to that total -- after just two weeks of the season.

The Green Knights constructed their 2-0 start by defeating Carson Long and then following up with an impressive first-ever victory over Biglerville, 47-28.

How many victories the Adams County team can earn in the remaining eight regular-season games remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: The Green Knights, under head coach Darwin Seiler, are much more competitive than they've been in recent years.

They're a team that opponents can no longer take for granted.

Fairfield is part of York-Adams Division III, which has been dominated since it was formed nine years ago by three teams: Bermudian Springs, Littlestown and Delone Catholic.

Bermudian has won three titles outright, including the last two, and shared another one. Littlestown has earned three championships and Delone has captured two titles outright and shared one. Biglerville earned a piece of one title.

Delone and Littlestown are scheduled to meet Friday night on the Thunderbolts' field. The third week of the season seems a little early for a showdown, but given the history of these Adams County powers in the division, the outcome will probably have an impact on the final standings.

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While Division III teams prepare for their second week of league play, Division I and II clubs are still in the non-league or crossover stage of their schedules.

Division II: West York, which has owned Division II in recent years, will bid this season to become the first York-Adams team to win seven straight division titles.

The Bulldogs face a major challenge, though, having lost two dozen players to graduation. They're 0-2 following non-divisional losses to Central York and Dallastown by a combined score of 76-6. West York will continue to run the gauntlet of Division I teams when it travels to Spring Grove on Friday night. Coach Ron Miller's team will also play Red Lion and York High before opening Division II competition against Susquehannock.

Based on results so far, New Oxford and Dover appear to be West York's biggest challengers when Division II play gets started on Friday, Oct. 4.

The Colonials have seven starters back on both offense and defense, and the Eagles feature eight returning starters on both sides of the ball. Susquehannock is also loaded with veterans (nine starters back on offense and eight on defense).

Division I: Division I, like Division II, has its share of contenders.

Dallastown has looked extremely impressive so far, scoring victories over Lancaster Catholic and West York while yielding a total of just six points.

Central, after opening with a victory over West York, gave a good account of itself against perennial powerhouse Cumberland Valley. The Panthers were tied with the Eagles at halftime, 7-7, before being shut out in the second half of a 21-7 setback.

South Western came close to knocking off another Mid-Penn team, Cedar Cliff. The Colts, featuring Virginia Tech recruit Andrew Ford at quarterback, pulled out a 30-27 victory. Cedar Cliff drilled South Western, 69-21, last season.

Spring Grove, which shared the division crown with Central last year, has the talent to go after another crown in 2013.

York High, and its play-making quarterback James Way, took down longtime rival Lancaster McCaskey last Friday night. The Bearcats, an experienced group (six returning starters on offense, seven on defense), could push to be in the upper echelon of the division this season.

Dick VanOlinda covers high school sports for The York Dispatch. He can be reached at dvanolin da@yorkdispatch.com or at 505-5407.